FAIR stands for “Framework for Agency Interoperability Readiness”. It is a set of tools that will enable us evaluate the Needs and Readiness levels of MDAs using some specific parameters. Interoperability in this context encompasses Enterprise Architecture, SWOT Analysis and ability of Agencies to collaborate, share information and services to attain their vision, goals and objectives.
FAIR Assessment is a diagnostics instrument for Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government and information provided from the exercise will form the basis for effective and efficient capacity building, rapid transformation and global competitiveness.
The FAIR Assessment will be based on FOUR Critical Dimensions of People, System, Process and Infrastructure/Technology and the overall readiness level of each in the MDAs. These FOUR areas will be further broken down into several sub-categories on which the Agencies are evaluated and scored. The Overall score is a function of the total of all the averages in each sub-category. The overarching goal of the assessment is to score the agency’s readiness in addition to recommending areas for service improvements.
The FAIR Assessment has two major components:
1. Needs Assessment: this is focused on identifying the needs and gaps of the agencies;
2. Readiness Assessment: this is focused on assessing an Agency’s capacity to address the identified needs as well as implement programmes in terms of people, process, system and infrastructure (technology).
The two are designed to achieve different but complementary roles in the FAIR Assessment.
Components of FAIR Assessment Framework
The FAIR Assessment will set the path to adequate planning required to improve effectiveness and efficiency at the MDAs and promote the rapid spread of eGovernment in actualizing the Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
